Miami Marlins select Brian Miller with 36th overall pick

The Miami Marlins have selected a speed outfielder with the 36th overall pick of the MLB Draft. Lets get to know the Miami Marlins newest addition.

Brian Miller is a baseball rags to riches story. On Monday night, he became a first round selection of the Miami Marlins. A dream come true for any player. Let alone the baseball roadblocks that Miller has overcome.

Coming out of high school Miller was very lightly recruited by colleges out of high school. He went unselected in the Major League draft that year. Through pure determination and sweat, Miller turned himself into a first round draft selection.

In Miller, the Marlins get a toolsy outfielder who can hit for average and fly around the bases.

According to John Sickles of Minor League Ball, scouts don’t project Miller to be a star in the Major Leagues. Some liken him to Brett Gardner, others to Denard Span. Miller can slap the ball and use his speed to disrupt the flow of the game. Depending on the source, his speed lands somewhere around 65 on the ratings scale.

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Considering he’s beat the odds so many times already in his young baseball career, I wouldn’t bet against him.

Standing at 6 foot 1 inch tall, Miller weighs about 185 pounds. He doesn’t muster much home run power out of that body though. He’s gone deep only once in his last 92 games, and scouts wonder if he’ll develop enough power to sustain success in the MLB.

He likely projects as a table-setting leader off hitter type. He bats fro the left side, which is desirable at the top of the lineup.

Raising questions

Miller’s selection inevitably raises questions about the future of several Marlins outfielders. He played centerfield in his days at North Carolina and could stay there in the MLB. He has the range to cover a lot of ground in the middle of the field.

Scouts consider his arm very accurate, but below average in strength.

What does this mean for current Miami Marlins outfielders? For the time being, nothing. Even being a four year college player, Miller will need to prove himself at the lower levels of baseball.

There have been a number of rumors surrounding the club and a looming fire sale. The draft will only intensify those talks.

But consider that these players are all several years away from being ready to contribute to the pro team. If the Marlins play well and put themselves back in the race, the draft doesn’t change a thing in the immediacy.

Next: Miami Marlins select Trevor Rogers in first round

The Miami Marlins got a solid player with their second pick in the MLB draft. Brian Miller has the makeup of a quality pro leadoff hitter.

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